John Muskett picks the bones from the
results of a survey initiated by Norman Gibson & David
Wellock

Thanks to you
and to Norman and David for investigations into the
popularity of jazz. Norman asked his audience for
written replies to the question “Why have your jazz
evenings been so successful?” I have read the comments
which were in four sealed envelopes containing 8, 8, 7
and 10 responses. The 10, according to my consultant
graphologist, all appeared to be in the same hand:
although it’s possible that 10 responders employed the
one scribe, I will assume that 24 persons contributed.
Statistically from an audience of 120 this number might
indicate random sampling or voter apathy. However, the
consistency of replies gives me every confidence that
the views expressed are representative of all the
listeners (also I suspect that a number of individual
responses reflected the opinions of couples).

Opinions that appeared between 5 and 11 times were
“enjoyment of wide variety of jazz” (although one
responder “would like some modern jazz”), “good
organisation”, “friendly atmosphere” and “good standard
of music”. Other views getting more than a single
mention were “palpable enthusiasm for jazz”, “enjoyment
of meeting people”, “enjoyment of live music”, “jolly
management”, “informal atmosphere”, “close to home” and
“entertaining bands”. Single comments were “never been
disappointed”, “competitively priced”, “good traditional
bands”, “well behaved audience”, “good programmes” (not
clear to me whether this referred to Norman’s
programming or bands’ play lists) and “pleased to bring
own food and drink”. The only suggestions for
improvements were “not close enough to home”, “provide a
bar” and “provide more dancing opportunities”.

Clearly Norman and David have “got it right”: good luck
to their successors in continuing the operation. It
isn’t, of course, possible to find out why those who
don’t attend jazz clubs regularly, if at all, stay away:
church congregation members are likely to think religion
is a good thing.

I’m not sure what pointers individual musicians and
bands can take from the survey (see my original
question). While good music seemed more important than
entertainment value, it would be interesting to get
feedback on the variety within individual bands’
programmes and to learn whether on a return visit a band
would offer a different programme. One guide to a
band’s jazz credentials would be the response to a
request for a reasonably familiar tune not normally in
its repertoire: however I would not expect any band to
serve up “Love For Sale” or “Lush Life” out of the blue!

So thanks again to Fred, to Norman and David and to all
the responders for taking time to try and unravel one of
life’s mysteries (to me, at any rate).